In the Gophers second consecutive Big Ten matchup on the road Sunday, they again fell. Earlier this week, Minnesota fell to one of the more experienced and accomplished teams in the nation at Michigan State. For the second best team in the country last year, the Gophers put up a fight, but came up short, losing 60-53. But yesterday it was the team from the lower end of the Big Ten's totem pole that brought Tubby's team down. With the excitement of the Vikings game, my carefree attitude towards Indiana's prowess, and not to mention being deprived of the Big Ten network, I didn't watch the game. But on my way back to the suburbs for one more home cooked meal before classes began, I caught word that the Gophers were trailing near the end of regulation. Monday morning brought news that Minnesota lost in overtime, 81-78. In some ways it was surprising, in other ways... not so much.

The Gophers aren't even half way through their conference season, and it already seems there have been more disappointments and lost chances on what could have been. From Royce White to the fallout in Anaheim in the 76 Classic, this season didn't kick start like it appeared it would. And that's a huge let down for me and the rest of Tubby's fan base. Just when I thought Gophers basketball could ease my football woes, more trouble ensued off the court, and as a result, had an effect on what happened on the court. Mbakwe and White are still out, and it seems unlikely that they will ever have a spot in the lineup this year. This team is already deep with a variety of unique talents and skill sets, but kind of like the Vikings, it seems this was their year to capitalize. Unlike the Vikes, the Gophers do not have a strong shot on going deep in the Big Dance. In fact, I'm starting to wonder if the Gophs will have a chance to dance come March.

But at the same time, there is time (always a great thing to have), undeniable talent, and of course, Tubby Smith. All of these things reassure me that the Gophers are far from being done, and are still one of the top contenders in the Big Ten. Not to mention, this is college basketball, and from everything I've gathered in my college career, anything can happen. I feel teams always play hard and more than anything, for the love of the game. This energy and passion only increases as the season moves on. I was working during the Michigan State game this past week, but I heard that the Gophers didn't go down easily. This Saturday, Minnesota has a huge opportunity against Michigan State again, this time at the Barn. The Gophers are still undefeated at home, and are sure to be hungry for some revenge. If this season is about opportunities, this is a decisive one the Gophers don't want to regret.

That's it for the Kid on Campus. Stay tuned for more Gopher sports updates, and the word around Dinkytown.